The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has issued a strong condemnation of what he described as a brazen and unlawful attack on the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission in the Ashanti Region by individuals falsely claiming to be operatives of Ghana’s National Security.
The Minister, reacting to reports of the invasion, expressed deep outrage at the actions of the group of armed men who forcibly shut down the Forestry Commission office, threatened its staff, and locked the premises with their own padlocks.
According to the Minister, the group’s behaviour was not only illegal but an outright attack on the authority of the state. “As Sector Minister, I am deeply appalled by this incident and strongly condemn the invasion in no uncertain terms,” he remarked.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah minced no words in addressing the threat such conduct poses to public order and national cohesion. For him, such acts of lawlessness undermine the rule of law, threaten public peace, and tarnish the integrity of institutions like the National Security — and must not be allowed to fester.
He has since called on Ghana’s law enforcement agencies to act decisively and, without delay, swiftly apprehend and prosecute all those involved in the said illegality. “This will serve as a strong deterrent to other unscrupulous persons who may harbour similar intentions,” the Minister emphasised.
The incident, which occurred earlier this week, involved over fifteen men wielding pump-action guns and other weapons.
According to accounts from staff and insiders, the armed group stormed the premises, issued threats to on-site security personnel, and forcefully removed Forestry Commission staff from the building before sealing it shut.
The group is believed to have taken this action in protest against what they allegedly described as “wanton arrests and impounding of equipment” belonging to illegal miners operating in forest reserves within the Bekwai District.
Sources close to the situation revealed that the group had made prior threats and had been angered by recent clampdowns on illegal mining activities in the region, which had resulted in several arrests and the seizure of mining equipment.
The Forestry Commission, which has been a central player in the fight against illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—has recently intensified its operations in forest reserves across the country, particularly in areas such as Bekwai where encroachment is rampant.
National Security Denial
In a crucial clarification that highlights the gravity of the impersonation, officials within National Security have distanced themselves from the incident, insisting that the individuals involved are not affiliated with or recognised by the agency.
This assertion underlines the criminal nature of the act and raises deeper concerns about how easily individuals can pose as state operatives to carry out violent and illegal actions.
The invasion comes at a time when the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been reinforcing its mandate to safeguard forest reserves, clamp down on illegal mining, and ensure the sustainable use of Ghana’s natural resources.
The Forestry Commission, under the Ministry’s direction, has been at the forefront of these efforts, often facing resistance from well-connected illegal mining networks.
The Bekwai attack, however, marks a disturbing escalation — from covert resistance to open armed confrontation. It also exposes the growing boldness of illegal mining interests, who are now turning to intimidation and violence to challenge the state’s authority.
Civil society groups and environmental advocates have since joined the chorus of condemnation, warning that failure to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators would not only embolden similar groups but also jeopardise the country’s forest conservation efforts.
They have called for increased protection of frontline officers working within the Forestry Commission and other related agencies, many of whom operate in dangerous conditions with limited security.
For his part, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the rule of law prevails and that Ghana’s natural resources are protected for current and future generations.
His statement reflects both the urgency of the moment and a broader determination to curb impunity in natural resource governance.
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